Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Luka Modric over an improved new
contract after fending off Chelsea’s attempts to sign the midfielder during
the summer.

Even though Modric has just under five years left on his deal, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has accepted the argument of manager Harry Redknapp that the Croatian should be given a substantial pay rise. It is understood that Modric is paid just over £40,000 a week, wages which Chelsea were prepared to treble. Spurs will not offer that but will consider doubling his salary.

Modric’s present talks are likely to see him become the club’s highest player with the negotiations made easier by the departure at the end of the transfer window of Robbie Keane, who had an agreement in his contract linked to the club’s wage ceiling.

Tottenham Hotspur run a very tight ship in terms of wages, but having turned down bids of £22 million, £27 million, £30 million and, finally, £40 million from Chelsea, Levy knows he must reflect Modric’s value in his salary.

Earlier in September Redknapp said Modric should be paid more: “If he’s worth ­£40 million, then life tells you that you have to be paid accordingly. You can’t say he is worth that much then pay him the wages of someone worth £5 million. That doesn’t ring true, does it? You have to look after the boy and I am sure we will do that. Hopefully, his future is here.”

The situation is complicated by the fact that Modric made it clear that he wanted to quit Spurs to join Chelsea - with Redknapp leaving the player out of the Premier League match away to Manchester United because “his head was not right”.

There is some concern at Spurs that by rewarding a player who wanted to leave with an improved deal it might send out the wrong message to the rest of the squad. At the same time other players might demand increases in their wages.

However, Spurs recognise that Modric is their most important player and are also desperate to avoid a re-run of the summer transfer saga when the window re-opens in January. Modric’s case has also been helped by the strong form he has shown since the window has closed.

Still Spurs will continue to have to fight to keep Modric with a number of clubs remaining interested in the play-maker, 26, who has previously been linked with Manchester United.